[Magnum44]

First off, dont get one without a stock or tactical stock. None of this gangster hip shooting. And if you try to aim with the gangster stock, you better have some stitches close by for your face.

Second, you want something you can comfortably handle slugs with, and a standard 12 gauge with slugs can kick the crap out of your shoulder. If thats you, get a twenty gauge (Mossberg 500 has some good options), or look hard for shotgun with a really good recoil system or an aftermarket stock that has a recoil system.

Even 12 gauge buck shot can beat you up if the gun has little recoil absorption, which most off the shelf pumps wont.

A semi like the mossberg 930 will have less recoil than a pump.

Just like a rifle or pistol, you want the biggest thing you can handle without being intimidated by shooting it.

[dirtboy]

You can get lower-recoil home defense rounds that alleviate the kick.

[Magnum44]

Oh, forgot to mention, get ghost ring sights for defense, unless you are already an expert trap shooter and are used to the bead.

Also, if you think it might be used at night (and why not its for home defense), look for a good aftermarket integral light system, something that is built in to the forearm or at least has a separate pressure switch you can mount. There are lots of cheap lights you can rail mount with the pressure switch on the light tail cap. If you fire a shot with your thumb on the light, all the recoil coming back through your thumb is gonna hurt. Dont recommend those.